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COMMISSION LAUNCHING CASE INVENTORY RESOLUTION PROJECT(March 2019)

The Commission is launching the Case Inventory Resolution Project to deal with the case inventory more efficiently through streamlined processes. All human rights complaints accepted beforeJanuary 1, 2019 will be handled through either the Investigation Stream or Conciliation Stream. You can read more about the Project.

NEW DIRECTOR OF THE ALBERTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION APPOINTED(February 20, 2019)On February 12, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor in Council appointed Nancy Henderson as Director of the Alberta Human Rights Commission for a five-year term, beginning on February 19, 2019. Ms. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of British Columbia.

Ms. Henderson brings to the Commission many years of leadership experience, having previously served in senior roles in legal and non-profit organizations, including with legal aid in B.C. as the Executive Director for the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C., as well as at Osgoode Hall Law School’s teaching clinic, and at Parkdale Community Legal Services. She has gained expertise in change management, strategic and operational planning, financial management, and human resources. Most recently, Ms. Henderson served as one of six Vice-Chairs on the Landlord and Tenant Board in Ontario. As an adjudicator, Ms. Henderson resolved disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act. You can read the Order in Council.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION APPOINTED(February 20, 2019)On January 22, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor in Council appointed six new members of the Commission, each for a term to expire on January 21, 2022. The new members of the Commission are:

Human Rights in Condominiums: outlines how the Alberta Human Rights Act protects Albertans from discrimination in the provision of accommodation, more specifically occupancy of a condominium unit. You can read the Human Rights in Condominiums information sheet.

NEW CHIEF OF THE COMMISSION AND TRIBUNALS APPOINTED(October 2018) The Commission is pleased to announce that the Government of Alberta has appointed Mr. Michael Gottheil as Chief of the Commission and Tribunals of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Read more about the new Chief of the Commission and Tribunals in the October 10, 2018 special issue of the Commission newsletter.

AMENDMENTS TO AL​BERTA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT COME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1, 2018(January 2018)The Government of Alberta has amended the Alberta Human Rights Act, effective January 1, 2018. Age discrimination is now prohibited in the protected areas of goods, services, accommodation or facilities, and in the area of tenancy. There are exceptions that allow specific types of age restrictions in the area of goods, services, accommodation or facilities. In the area of tenancy, age restrictions will not be permitted in rental buildings as of January 1, 2018. In addition, the Act is amended to protect ameliorative policies, programs and activities that are designed to improve the conditions of disadvantaged persons and that achieve or are reasonably likely to achieve that objective.

Important information about making a human rights complaint relating to age under sections 4 and 5:

The Commission cannot accept complaints on the ground of age under sections 4 and 5 until the amendments come into force on January 1, 2018.

Only incidents that occur on or after January 1, 2018 will be covered by the new protection.

GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION NOW EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED GROUNDS OF DISCRIMINATIONBill 7 is now in force. The Bill amends the Alberta Human Rights Act to add gender identity and gender expression to the Act as expressly prohibited grounds of discrimination.

PLEASE NOTE:The Commission is in the process of updating its publications and website to reflect the amendments to the legislation. In the meantime, if you are reading a Commission publication or web page dated before December 11, 2015, please note that the amendments have not yet been incorporated into the publication or web page.

ABOUT THE COMMISSIONThe Alberta Human Rights Commission is an independent commission of the Government of Alberta. Our mandate is to foster equality and reduce discrimination. We provide public information and education programs, and help Albertans resolve human rights complaints.